MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – An upper level ridge lingers across much of the eastern portion of the region, gradually ejecting from southwest to northeast over the course of the day. The 
influence of the ridge will lead to another hot day across north and Middle Georgia. Aside from the far northeast mountains, highs are forecast to rise into the mid 90s across the majority of the area. Drier air underneath the ridge will also drop dewpoints into the upper 60s to low 70s this afternoon and serve to suppress afternoon thunderstorm chances. Isolated to widely scattered thunderstorms will be possible in the afternoon in northeast Georgia, where northeasterly flow and the terrain influence could help a few storms get going. Heat index values are expected to range from 97-102 degrees in the peak heating hours. As Hurricane Erin continues to move northeastward across the Atlantic, the influence of the ridge is expected to keep it offshore, and begin to steer it more northward away from the East Coast. On Tuesday, Erin will be positioned several hundred miles away to the southeast of Georgia while surface high pressure will be centered over southeast Canada. Between these two, a weak wedge will develop along the Appalachians and spread into northeast Georgia. This wedge will bring additional moisture, cloud cover and rain chances to the north and east portions of the area during the daytime on Tuesday. High temperatures within the wedge feature are forecast to be limited to the mid to upper 80s, although highs will still rise into the low to mid 90s in Middle Georgia and northwest Georgia.
